Pistol

I have a framed original Sid & Nancy movie poster. It's a fantastic movie. I can't help but judge this series against it and it doesn't quite hold up but how could it? I need to temper my expectations.

I like this series but I am watching it more as entertainment than a historical documentary. I remember enough of that time to be cognizant of the fact that there's a lot of fiction here.

I'm not all the way through the episodes but I am enjoying it well enough (see addendum at bottom). I don't have a problem with the actors, and some are quite good. The costumes and etc are spot on. The actor playing Rotten seems a bit over the top, and Malcom keeps reminding me of Doogie Howser MD.

I like that they try to place the story in its historical context. Things were messed up in England and punk was an outgrowth. I think this is what interests me the most and maybe what I really want is to know more about that macro context than the micro stories of the personalities involved. The characters do start to bore me a bit... and as I admitted I am about half way through.

That being said, the storyline about Chrissie Hynde was news to me! Wow! Bonus points that the actress that plays her is fantastic.

The music is excellent. There's an effort to have a wide range of contemporary music and it adds a lot. Also as mentioned previously there are some stunning visuals.

I am mindful there's a lot of controversy about this series. I acknowledge that but as I said, I think of this as entertainment. There's enough horror in life right now (mass shootings, Ukraine, inflation, etc) to let this series disrupt my existence further.

So, it's entertaining enough. I don't have any problem recommending it and if you find yourself not enjoying it, you can always skip it.

And if you haven't seen Sid & Nancy, look for it.

PS I did watch all the episodes. Nothing I saw really changes what I already wrote. The conclusion does leave you feeling sort of empty... I don't know if I should have expected anything different. It is Steve's story and thus the title is "Pistol" and not "Pistols", although the last two episodes have much to do about Sid.

John Lydon is angry with Danny Boyle and the show's existence, so it is doing something right! The story is intoxicating, some of it true, some of it Apocryphal and some of it whole cloth fabricated.

It is well cast with a young ensemble blending unknowns with some more established actors. The raw anti-establishment energy shines through and there is some good chemistry albeit some of it brilliantly contrarian and negative.

The soundtrack is superb, naturally a lot is Pistols, but there is a liberal scattering of other classic music from the era. Costume and location are up to scratch and some of the dialogue is exceptional, with many memorable lines.

Stranger than fiction, nonetheless enjoyable, engaging and entertaining, though it is difficult to disentangle nostalgia from the show itself.

Let's start with the elephant in the room.

John Lydon wasn't involved in this mini series which is a monumental missed opportunity. His exclusion depends on which story you believe - Disney & Boyle are adamant Lydon wanted no part of it. Lydon insists he was never asked and excluded from the outset. Either way, it's a shame.

However, for the most part, Pistol, which is based on Steve Jone's biography, is a triumph and captures the chaos, destruction, humour and self destruction of the destroyers of rock n roll.

Although focusing for the most part on Steve Jones, his damaged upbringing and his relationships, especially with Chrissie Hynde, Pistol brings to life the rebellious, anti-establishment, punk rock movement of 70's Britain.

In particular, Anson Boon as Rotten is superb with his acerbic barbs directed indiscriminately at anyone and everyone. And ironically, despite Lydons non-involvment in the series, the character is portrayed sensitively although I doubt Lydon will ever admit he likes it.

While acted brilliantly, Thomas Brodie-Sangster seems miss cast as McLaren, coming across more as a baby faced assassin rather than the weird and wacky provocateur. However, Sydney Chandler as Hynde is top drawer.

In music history, there have been a few occurrences of the 'perfect storm' where the music world has changed forever, Nirvana being one such example. But none more dramatic or explosive as the Pistols and Boyle's mini series captures much of the mood and madness, perfectly.

There is much deviation from actual events for presumably artistic reasons. And I'm sure Lydon will dispute much of Jones's recollection of events. But as an entertainment set-piece it all works surprisingly well.

I don't know why Lyndon is upset. I think he comes out looking better than anyone.

I just want a season 2 called 'Pretender' that continues Chrissie Hyndes' story.

But loved it.

As a punk aged 14 in 1976 this should have been cringeworthy, but , regardless, it is most definitely not.

I read Steve Jones' autobiography "Lonely Boy ", and this series is basically a televised version.

The acting and artistic license were great.

What's not to like.

I hope John Lydon changes his opinion when he sees the six episodes for what they are, a celebration of what was, and is to my generation, a life changing attitude.